Did I ruin my jeans in the dryer?

Anonymous

After always being very careful to air dry my jeans, I slipped up today and put two pairs in the dryer! They're Gap jeans (skinnies and leggings).

I generally have trouble with my jeans stretching out, so am hoping they won't grow too baggy now...does anyone have experience with this?

14 years ago

Dressing

8 replies

Latest reply was from

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

My jeans tolerate the dryer just fine. I have mostly premium denim but they still stretch out just like other jeans.

I don't think putting them in the dryer will make them stretch out more, I haven't heard this. I think denim is a sturdy fabric made to tolerate dryers although maybe not at super high heat. What does the fabric care tag say inside your jeans (on the label)"

14 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Honestly, that's why I have been dragging my feet about getting into premium denim - so easy to make a mistake...here I thought I was the only one who goes on automatic pilot with laundry.

I posted a question a little bit ago because I wondered if my drying my Gap jeans had contributed to them bagging out, and I heard from people who said that their jeans bagged without ever having gotten near a dryer.

I wouldn't worry too much about it - nothing to be done now. The only thing to do is wear them and see if there is a difference. BTW Gap denim says you can dry them in a dryer...

14 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Have you tried them on yet? I would be more worried about shrinkage in length.

14 years ago

Isis

Veteran

The heat from the dryer can ruin the spandex if your jeans have that fabrication (which premium jeans do).

How much the dryer will affect them depends on how hot your dryer gets. Commercial dryers in the laundry mat get really hot! My new home dryer stays pretty cool.

That said, I now try not to throw my jeans in the dryer. Once I fall in love with a pair of jeans, I'd like to have a long term relationship! An occasional accidental toss in the dryer has not ruined my jeans, however.....when I'm dealing with mounds of family clothes, it's bound to happen!

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Whenever I've dried jeans, the problem was shrinkage, like chewy said.

14 years ago

mia241

Member

I've never had a problem with them getting baggy because of the dryer, but they do shrink in length. Which is really problematic because my legs are long

14 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I put most of my jeans through the dryer and don't have a problem with it. The only ones I air dry are the true jegging type, with 5% or more spandex. I DO try to take the jeans out immediately after they are dry, so that they're not tumbling around dry for very long. I don't know if this matters. To be honest, my jeans always fall apart in other ways well before the stretch gives out.

14 years ago

Anonymous

Thanks for your replies! Sounds like it may be ok. They did shrink a bit in length, but the fit is actually better, since I had a little too much ankle scrunch before. I guess I'll have to wait to see if I've damaged the elastic...but so far so good.

MPJ, you aren't the only one on laundry auto pilot!

14 years ago

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